World Facts Index
 In
1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would
receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British
India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years
later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in
Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign
affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later,
a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the
British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined
India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of
over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are
housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms
- and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006,
the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in
order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition.
In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan
greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to
coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven
ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process,
and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats
to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. Nepal's
constitution was ratified in July 2008.
Geography of Bhutan
|
Location:
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Southern Asia, between
China and India |
|
Coordinates:
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27 30 N, 90 30 E |
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Area:
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total: 47,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 47,000 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
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about half the size of
Indiana |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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varies; tropical in
southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe
winters and cool summers in Himalayas |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountainous with
some fertile valleys and savanna |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Drangme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, hydropower, gypsum,
calcium carbide |
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Natural hazards:
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violent storms from the
Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land
of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil erosion; limited
access to potable water |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; strategic
location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan
mountain passes
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More Geography
Population of Bhutan
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Population:
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682,321 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 38.9% (male 458,801/female 426,947)
15-64 years: 57.1% (male 671,057/female 631,078)
65 years and over: 4% (male 46,217/female 45,623) |
|
Median age:
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20.4 years |
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Infant mortality:
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98.41 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 54.78 years
male: 55.02 years
female: 54.53 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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4.74 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Bhutanese (singular and
plural)
adjective: Bhutanese |
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Ethnic groups:
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Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes
Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% |
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Religions:
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Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and
Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% |
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Languages:
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Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various
Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34%
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Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of
Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan |
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Government type:
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monarchy; special treaty relationship with
India |
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Capital:
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Thimphu |
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Administrative divisions:
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18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and
plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,
Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa,
Wangdi Phodrang
note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse |
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Independence:
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8 August 1949 (from India) |
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National holiday:
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National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first
hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
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Constitution:
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no written constitution or bill of rights;
note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, which is to become
effective in 2005 |
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Legal system:
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based on Indian law and English common law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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each family has one vote in village-level elections; note
- in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel
WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated
the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him
head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the
monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year
terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members
nominated by the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998
grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds
vote; election of a new National Assembly occured in March 2008; the leader of
the majority party is nominated as the prime minister |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105
elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated
by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve
three-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High
Court (judges appointed by the monarch) |
Economy
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on
agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60%
of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and
animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building
of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is
closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and
dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is
technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type.
Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant
labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with
support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program
takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's
environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its
cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,
environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain
policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance
continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India had a major
impact on growth in 2007.
|
GDP:
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$3.359 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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5.3% |
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GDP per capita:
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$1,400 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 45%
industry: 10%
services: 45% |
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Inflation rate:
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3% |
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Labor force by occupation:
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agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and
commerce 2% |
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Industries:
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cement, wood products, processed fruits,
alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 0.1%
hydro: 99.9%
other: 0%
nuclear: 0% |
|
Agriculture:
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rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains;
dairy products, eggs |
|
Exports:
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electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum,
timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices |
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Export partners:
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Germany 41.8%, India 35.5%, Japan 9.2%, Austria 4.3% |
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Imports:
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fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and
parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice |
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Import partners:
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India 85.6%, Bangladesh 6.7%, Japan 4.3% |
|
Currency:
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ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |